Introduction
The Clumber Spaniel is a breed of dog in the Sporting Group. Low to the ground and famous for its steady, slow, and rolling gait, the Clumber Spaniel is one the first Spaniel breeds to have been created for a specific purpose. This breed was recognized by the AKC in 1884 and AKC approved in 2001.
The average Clumber Spaniel stands 17 to 20 inches high at the shoulders and weighs between 55 and 85 pounds. Their silky hair does shed a lot, but regular brushing will help to keep the coat clean and control shedding. Clumbers will also drool, snuffle, and snore more than the average breed.
Temperament
The Clumber Spaniel has an extremely gentle, affectionate, and lovable attitude. This breed is perfect for families as they bond closely to adults and children, and while they may be aloof towards strangers at first they will eventually warm up to new friends.
Clumbers enjoy plenty of affection and attention from their families, but they also have an independent nature. The Clumber is a very intelligent dog that loves to learn tricks and commands, and with their gentle nature it is important to use an easy going training approach that focuses only on positive reinforcement.
Health
Clumbers have a life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years, but they are prone to health problems which include dysplasia, skin allergies, ectropion, entropion, and a tendency to become obese. These are not high energy dogs, and they move at a pretty slow pace, but they do require daily walks to keep their weight under control and to alleviate boredom.
History
The history of the Clumber Spaniel is not entirely clear, but they are believed to have been created in France sometime in the 1700’s. It is possible their distant ancestors include Alpine Spaniels and Basset Hounds, but no one knows for sure how this breed was developed. What is clear is that the breed was created to be low to the ground in order to quickly search through the underbrush while on the hunt. Their low and rolling gait was developed for endurance instead of agility and speed.
Clumber Spaniel
Quick Facts
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Weight: 55-85 lbs
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Height: 17-20 in
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Coat: Silky, sheds a lot
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Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, lovable
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Lifespan: 10-12 years